5 wide receivers the Saints could trade for with Michael Thomas out

The return for Sam Darnold (shoulder) for Week 7, or seemingly soon if he doesn’t play against the Bills, is a good thing for Crowder as the two have shown great rapport dating back to last season. But Crowder has succeeded regardless of his quarterback this season, with over 100 yards in three of the four games he’s played and double-digit targets in all four.

Trading Crowder would mean trading their best offensive player for the Jets, but at this point with an 0-6 record all options are on the table. A lot of good teams could use a wide receiver, and the Jets have a couple who could draw interest (Crowder and a now healthy Breshad Perriman). Ignoring that market would be dereliction of duty by general manager Joe Douglas.

As primarily a reliable short-area/slot guy with good ability after the catch, Crowder looks like a perfect fit with Drew Brees. He’s under contract through next year, but the guaranteed salary is gone after this year. So he can essentially be a rental for the rest of this year, with minimal implications for 2021 if it doesn’t work out.